President's Council

The President’s Council on Inclusivity and Multicultural Diversity (PCIMD) is an advisory and leadership team responsible for developing, overseeing, and monitoring College-wide efforts to achieve Saint Mary’s commitment to inclusivity and multicultural diversity as core institutional and educational values.

Building a more diverse and inclusive institution is the primary purpose of PCIMD. The following statement was developed by a PCIMD subcommittee comprised of faculty, staff, and students and was approved by the President’s Cabinet in February 2018:

Value statement on diversity and inclusion

As a Catholic institution of higher learning, Saint Mary’s College has a mission-driven responsibility to be diverse, inclusive, and equitable. We believe in the inherent value of diversity in its multiple dimensions, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, culture, religion, nationality, geographic origin, beliefs, ideas, socioeconomic class, sexual orientation, gender, ability, veteran status, and age. To honor that value, the College is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that respects the human dignity and civil rights of all persons, particularly those from groups that have historically experienced discrimination and persecution. By actively resisting bigotry and marginalization, we endeavor to work against the effects of past injustices and to dismantle current forms of injustice. In particular, we recognize the insidiousness of systemic and individual racism, both intentional and unintentional, and we strive to actively disrupt its dehumanizing effects. We expect every member of the Saint Mary’s College community to uphold these commitments in our programs, practices, pedagogy, and policies.

PCIMD works to enhance and maintain Saint Mary’s efforts to ensure that all students graduate with knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary for making thoughtful, responsible contributions in a diverse, globally integrated world. Directly tied to this is a focus on establishing and maintaining a thriving, inclusive campus climate that values all faculty, students, and staff members.

PCIMD activities include curricular and co-curricular diversity-centered learning opportunities; the development of institutional practices and policies; and exposing students to classmates, professors, and mentors from different backgrounds in terms of race, culture, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, opinions, academic passions, and ability.

As advocates for diversity, inclusiveness, and equity, PCIMD values and promotes cross-campus collaboration; consults with faculty, staff, and campus offices; and regularly supports and participates in inclusivity and multicultural diversity enrichment opportunities.

To that end, faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to attend at least two of the “Community Dialogue” events this academic year listed at saintmarys.edu/community-dialogue-events. Your active participation will help communication and understanding flourish in the Saint Mary’s community.